I hope you had a good Easter, and managed to do at least a little of what makes you happy. I took three days off work just before Easter, and enjoyed a few days in Cornwall with Olley and our lovely dog Barney.

It was the first time in years that we'd had so long away together on our own, and was planned around Billy going skiing for a week with the family of a school friend. I decided that as I would worry about him wherever I was, I may as well go somewhere nice to take my mind off the dangers of what he was doing without me.

Needless to say, he arrived home in one piece at the end of the week, only to head to the snow again, this time with friends to Bulgaria. His snowboarding will probably be the subject of a future blog – he's decided to follow his passion as a career – but that is another story for another day. So while I find myself waiting for the daily call to tell me he has survived another day on the slopes, I can tell you about our little trip to the West Country.

When I met Olley, almost 30 years ago, he and some friends usually spent a week over Christmas or New Year in a self-catering cottage in a Cornish village called Polruan, which sits opposite Fowey on the Fowey estuary. I became part of the group for several years, enjoying wonderful winter breaks together. We took long coastal walks and indulged in pub lunches and cream teas. Growing families and different plans meant the holidays petered out and we hadn't been for years – it was about time we returned to see how much had changed.

We found a dog-welcoming bed and breakfast in the main street which runs down to a small quay where a little boat ferries passengers across the river to Fowey. It was the perfect position and we were offered a lovely room. It turned out to be a gem of a place, run by a very friendly woman who cooked the most amazing breakfasts!

The weather was forecast to turn colder and cloudier after the recent spell of summer weather we'd enjoyed. It was certainly cooler, but we were treated to glorious blue skies. The perfect weather to explore old haunts and just what I needed to unwind and recharge batteries. It was also a chance to indulge in one of my favourite pastimes – eating. I do enjoy good food, especially when I haven't cooked it myself.

I've been really restrained lately, and have managed to lose almost a stone since November (which is about half what needs to go) but I can only do it by allowing myself regular days off. And a trip away is all the excuse I need – after the delicious breakfasts we would walk and walk, then share a couple of lunchtime Cornish pasties with Barney. Dinner was in the local pub, The Lugger, where we used to play darts and drink beer. Now it's travelled a little up-market and serves delicious meals made from local produce. Yum yum!

There was an impressive sight in the boatyard on the quayside – a replica of a medieval ship called the Matthew. (I thought boat names should be female?) It has appeared in films and will take part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee flotilla planned to sail up the River Thames in June. It was in dock for some minor repairs but we saw it launched back into the water and and set sail to Falmouth. Hope you like the photo!

After three nights in Polruan we had to head towards home, but had time to stop off on Dartmoor for Barney to stretch his legs. The weather had changed but somehow, dark gloomy skies suit the atmosphere of the landscape and it was an exhilarating feeling to climb to the top of a tor and feel the wind in my hair.

Then it was home to reality, but only one day of work (on Good Friday) before the holiday weekend – and more food! I roasted the most amazing pice of rib of beef for family and friends, and realised how much I like to play at being mother hen, and gather everyone together for a festive meal.

Everything was perfect (except for Billy not being with us, but Bex and Charlie are home at the moment) right down to the horseradish jam that I'd bought in a collection of speciality foods from Cook's Essentials. I'd bought them as a birthday gift for a friend, but was intrigued about how this would taste so gave the rest but kept this jar. It was delicious with the beef, and even better next day in beef sandwiches!

So a blog that was meant to tell you about my short holiday has turned out to be more about food. Many of us have a complicated relationship with food – it's not just something we eat to thrive. I know I eat when I'm bored, or looking for comfort, and I suppose that's why I'm trying not to eat so much at the moment – I've overdone it a bit over the years!! But that doesn't take away the pleasure of a good meal enjoyed in good company. Or the delights of a few days rest and relaxation in a beautiful part of our country. And I only had one cream tea. (Honest!)

Talk to you soon…

Kathy x

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13 Comments

Hi Kathy,
What a beautiful and peaceful blog. You really are such a warm person and that comes right across! You are looking amazing!! I just have to echo all your other comments from viewers. You are a family with a real zest for life. Can’t wait to hear about Billy’s snowboarding career! What with your sportswoman career, Bex being a Dr AND hiker up Kilemanjaro and now your son…my!!
Chat soon
Susan x

Hi Kathy
It is great to read your blog, and amazing photos of Cornwell, and glad to hear that the weather was good for you.
You should not worry too much about what you eat, you always look great. Last year after I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I lost over a stone, as I was worried too much. But thank God all is better now and things are not as bad as I thought, and now I started to eat again and put a bit of it back. But I have learn that as long as we are in good health, that is all that matter, so eat and enjoy yourself and be happy.
Look forward to your next blog.
Much love.
Magda.

Hi Kathy,
Loved reading your blog and your time in Cornwall sounded wonderful. I did post on QVC Facebook today about how great you were in the Zumba hour today. You did great and helped so many of us ladies who are not tiny tiny tiny to feel that we could have a go at Zumba. You told us it was taking you out of your comfort zone yet you did it so well, were a great sport and very brave infront of thousands of people!!! You were fabulous and I hope that all the many positive messages for you put on QVC Facebook reached you. Please present the Zumba again. Well done Kathy xx

Hi Kathy…I wish I had seen you Zumba-ing…just read another Susan’s post!! I bet you were a great laugh! You are always so lovely and such a natural. I love you and Anne for that. She’s the best at Zumba isn’t she?! Love her! Hope you enjoyed it??
Susan x

Hello Magda
Good to hear from you! I follow your conversations with some of my presenter friends, so I know about your battle with breast cancer over the past year. Good to hear that you’re feeling so much better now and you’re so right – it’s our health and happiness that is important, not how fat our tummies are. But mine had got to the point where it was threatening my health. Also, with my job – and the beautiful people i’m surrounded by! – i can feel less than good about myself when i’m at my heaviest. It’s all about finding the balance, i suppose.
I hope you continue to be happy and healthy!
Kathy x

Hi Jo.
Well done on losing 2 stone. I’m hoping to lose another myself, and expect to take a few months doing it as I’m not very good at sticking to it all the time. They say, though, that the slower you lose it, the longer it stays off. I hope yours does exactly that!
Kathy x

Hi Susan
You didn’t miss much with my Zumba – I am not the best dancer in the world! I felt a bit self conscious at first but thought I’d better get on with it and enjoyed it in the end. It meant I didn’t have to get to the gym for a couple of days, too! And yes, Anne is the expert and absolutely loves her Zumba. She’s a great ad for it.
Talk soon!
Kathy x

Hi Kathy,
What a lovely reply to Magda…and all of us…but I agree with you that it’s our health and happiness that matters..and I’m sure in TV it can be more of a concern than most of us. It seems to be a bit obsessive though for some of your colleagues! It most definately isn’t healthy to be obsessed by our appearance and I admire your outlook. You’re a lovely gorgeous lady. Looking forward to hearing about snowboarding Billy!!
Take care
Susan x
PS Love to your Ali x

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